With slip and fall injuries on a cruise, getting the right compensation will take a bit of effort and research on your part. Here is a guide to help you collect the best evidence and get legal representation.

What Was the Cause of the Fall?

The first thing to determine is the cause of the fall. Sometimes it's fairly obvious, such as a drink spill or a wet pool area. Other times, the cause may be more obscure. Building factors like poor lighting or a sloped ground can lead to slips and falls easily. Whether or not you see the cause of the injury right away, be sure to photograph the site so that your lawyer can later look for clues to the cause of your fall.

There is some burden on the lawyer to show that the cruise company was negligible. For instance, is there a flaw in their ship's design? Did they know about it? Or if it was a spill, did they not dedicate enough staff to the area so that a quick clean-up was possible?

How Bad is the Injury?

You'll also want to take notes on the severity of the injury as soon as possible. Most cruise ships will have a medical professional on board who can evaluate your injuries after a slip and fall. When possible, get the diagnosis in writing so that you can use it as evidence in your trial.

Who Is at Fault?

If you take the claim to court, they will also need to evaluate whether the slip was your fault or the cruise ship's fault. If there were no major red flags, such as your intoxication or horseplay, then the judge will likely allot some responsibility to the cruise line.

What Are the Damages?

Take some time to think about what was or will be lost based on the injury. For instance, you may need to take time off of work to recover from your injury or attend medical appointments. Pain and suffering can also be taken into account in more severe injuries, as can loss of happiness from being taken out of your life routine.

How Much is a Claim Worth?

A personal injury lawyer, such as Greg S. Memovich, will use the answers to the questions above to determine how much money could potentially be won in a personal injury claim. This will help you decide whether it's worth the time to pursue a personal injury claim.